Effect of Surface Modification for Efficient Electroplating of 3D-Printed Components
This article explores the issue of surface modification through tumbling and vaporisation of 3D-printed materials, and its impact on the electrolytic deposition of metal coatings on previously non-conductive materials. Plastic materials represent an affordable alternative, but their surface treatmen...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Machines |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/7/630 |
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| Summary: | This article explores the issue of surface modification through tumbling and vaporisation of 3D-printed materials, and its impact on the electrolytic deposition of metal coatings on previously non-conductive materials. Plastic materials represent an affordable alternative, but their surface treatment, in the form of post-coating, achieves properties comparable to those of metal parts while saving expensive metal material. Samples prepared by selective laser sintering (SLS) with different surface treatments were used. Polyamide 12 (PA12) was chosen as the base material and copper (Cu) as the metallic coating. Graphite was sprayed on the samples to ensure conductivity. The Cu coating was electrodeposited from an acidic copper electrolyte. The quantitative analysis of the surface was carried out using standard ISO parameters. The thickness of the deposited copper layer was determined using destructive measurements on a digital microscope. The results show that surface modification has a significant effect on the functional properties of the surface quality and the thickness of the deposited copper layer. |
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| ISSN: | 2075-1702 |